A chuckle is heard through the receiving end of Molly's mobile as she eagerly listens to the voice on the other end.
"I know you worry about me, but I'll be home sooner than you know it, Molls. I can't wait to see you and Mira again. God, I miss her like crazy. Can you believe she's waited all these years to be with me? She's the most amazing person and I'm way too lucky to have her. She's just...amazing and I love her so much."
Molly sniffles and wipes her eyes. It's so good to hear from her brother, Matthew. He is on the last six months of his tour in Iraq. He did not renew his contract and therefore will finally be home long term. He's thrilled to come back to his childhood friend and girlfriend since high school, Miranda Hayes. Molly admits they have always been adorable together, and she can't help the pang of jealousy that she holds, wishing she had a relationship as loving and committed and solid as theirs. Hell, Mira waited nearly a decade for him, and they can't wait to pick up where they left off at graduation.
Molly chuckles softly. "I know you do, and I'm sure she's so thrilled to finally have you all to herself. You two deserve to be happy, Matty."
"So do you. That being said, is anyone in the picture? Did you finally kick that ass Tom to the curb for good?"
She sighs. "He's gone, yeah...for now anyway."
"For now? What does that even mean?"
"It means that he's gone but due to unforeseen circumstances he could be back or not. I'm going through stuff. Shocker, huh? Not...", she mumbles.
"Oh Molls, what's going on?"
She can feel herself tearing up again. She really doesn't want to drag her brother into her humiliation, but she knows that it would be weird if she kept it from him as well.
"Molly...?"
"I'm pregnant", he whispers into the phone, sniffling a bit.
"What? Oh my gosh, I'm gonna be an uncle!? Molly that's amazing! Oh my gosh, you're gonna be the best Mum! I should know, you were basically a mother to me. Don't cry, you're gonna be incredible, sis. You'll get to be one this time. I'm so so thrilled for you."
A sob escapes her as a smile appears on her face for the first time in weeks. "Thanks, Matty. I really am happy; I have always wanted to be a mum. It's not that simple though..."
"Oh God, pleaseeee don't tell me Tom is the father. I don't think I could refrain from punching that dickhead in the face if he has to be in your life forever."
Molly cries weakly. "That's the thing, I-I don't know if it's him. He's one of two candidates. I never ever wanted to be that woman and I feel so...horrific that I had to get a paternity test. It was so humiliating, and I always wanted to be a good role model to you, and this just completely ruins my reputation. I'm just glad nobody at work knows yet. I wear bulky clothes anyway."
"Hey...Molls don't cry. Listen, shit happens. I know that better than anyone. But I've seen how strong you are, and I know everything you've been through. You have not had an easy life. You've gotten through everything, and you will get through this. Plus, I'm an adult now. I don't need you to be a role model or a mother anymore, I need you to just be my sister now. And as your brother, I'm here for you no matter what, the way you always were for me growing up."
"I-I know, but you're still my baby brother. You always will be, okay? Also, old habits die hard. I can't exactly help the fact that I'm used to being a parent to you. But I will try my best to stop. I know you're grown now; my brain knows that."
He chuckles softly. "Okay. That's all I can ask for, I guess. By the way, who else could be the dad? If you don't mind me asking..."
Molly lets out a huge breath and groans. "Sherlock..."
"Sherlock!? Oh God, Molls."
"I know, I know, okay? I know. I'm just waiting for the results. Either way, I decided I'll be fine raising my child alone. I'm okay with that and I've made my peace with it. I just hope Tom doesn't fight me for custody. That's what I'm terrified of. Especially with him living all the way in the States now. I'm constantly on edge because it's most likely his baby and...that worries me."
"You're not alone. You'll have me around pretty soon. Also, he won't lay one skinny ass finger on my niece or nephew. I'll be there to back you up. Your friends will too. It'll be okay. Alright?"
Molly wipes her eyes. "Alright...I love you, Matty."
"I love you too sis. I have to go now, but I'll talk to you soon."
"Talk soon. See you."
She hangs up and leans against her counter, listening to the sound of her erratic breathing for a moment, then she hears a knock on her door.
.
.
Sherlock watches the cab drive away as he walks down the walkways towards Molly's front door. He pauses for a moment, the sound of his breathing the only sound he can hear as he composes himself. Biting the bullet, he finally knocks on her door, noticing that the yellow paint is chipping in some places. He smiles fondly, remembering the first time he came over and she was so proud that she had finally purchased a home of her own.
Just then, the door swings open, and he is pulled from the memory as he blinks and stares into the eyes of the woman he came to see.
"Molly."
"Sherlock", she replies. "Since when do you knock?", chuckles lightly.
He looks at her sheepishly before she leads him into her sitting room. "I know I usually don't, but it felt appropriate."
"Since when do you act appropriately?"
He looks a bit taken aback and she covers her mouth. "Oh, no- I- I didn't mean..."
"I know, it's fine Molly."
"Right, sorry", she blushes. "So...what brings you by?"
He shifts from foot to foot nervously. "Well, you know, um...first I wanted to see how that medicine helped your nausea. You look better today. Not that you don't always look fine. Fine as in okay. No, not just okay, you- you look...good."
Molly smiles softly and rolls her eyes. "You sound like me. I get it. Yeah, I feel better today too. It's subsided more often than not for now."
"Good. That's good."
"You don't have to look so nervous. The results probably won't come back until tomorrow."
"I know that. I apologize, I just need to talk to you about something important and you may get upset since it may be a bit premature."
Molly sits and crosses her arms over her chest. "What exactly would I get upset about?"
He cringes a bit and looks at her. "I told Mycroft about our dilemma."
"What!?", she squeaks.
"Yeah...see, that's the upset part. But don't worry, he is sworn to secrecy as a government employee. I made his promise that the info is confidential."
"Sherlock! He already thinks I'm weak and ridiculous, how could you tell him that. Not to mention I'm sure he's laughing it up about how you're a potential match!" she huffs annoyedly.
"He thinks, rather, he knows you're intelligent and he respects you. I'm serious. Also, yes, he was a bit miffed and shocked. But he wasn't half as taken aback as I believed he would be."
"R-Really?"
"Yes", he says softly, looking into her eyes. She blushes and meets his gaze.
"I wanted to get his word that if the baby does turn out to be mine, he will add you two to his surveillance network. Not only for your own safety but for my ease of mind. I don't need anyone finding out and targeting either of you because of it."
Her gaze falls down to her hands that she wrings sadly, and she nods a bit. "I can understand that", she says quietly.
Sherlock swallows the lump in his throat, knowing the lingering question on both of their minds. Before he can ask anything, she gasps sharply and his eyes snap up to her form, looking her over quickly in a panic. "What? What's wrong? What happened?"
Molly smiles wearily and rubs her bump. "It's okay, just a big kick to the ribs", she chuckles a bit and shifts her position uncomfortably.
Sherlock bites his lip, reaching his hand out for her before pulling it back awkwardly. "Good, you worried me for a moment."
"Do you want to feel?", she blushes. "It's okay if you do."
"Oh...er...sure." He scoots over a bit and Molly takes his hand, guiding it to the spot where the baby kicks. After about a minute the baby kicks his hand. His eyes widen a bit, but he smiles. "I felt it. Wow."
Molly giggles lightly and nods. "Yeah, it's even crazier feeling it from the inside."
"I bet it is", he snorts.
They both look at each other and catch each other's gaze again, suddenly realizing how close they are. Molly blushes and goes to move away, but Sherlock gently drapes an arm around her, tucking her into his side.
"Don't shy away. It's okay."
She nods and flushes pink, curling into his side and gently laying her head on his chest, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat.
"If the baby is yours, would you even want to be involved in their life? I know you obsess about safety because your job is dangerous, and I do understand that. But I need to know if you want to be an active part of their life if they're yours. You don't have to answer until we get the results, and you may not have to answer. All I know is that I don't want them to know a parent who will always disappoint them, only show up half the time or breeze in and then disappear from their life for extended periods of time. It's not healthy for them, wanting someone that's never there", says weakly.
"You know my mother couldn't even be called one, she was more of an abuser. But I spent every single night praying for my dad to come home. I know it wasn't his fault that he had a contract with the military he needed to serve...but it would have saved me and Matty so much heartache and pain and so many years we could have been happy with him. It's not the same, and I know that, but I need to know they won't have a father that isn't committed to being one. And if you aren't, they don't have to know you as their father, they can just know you as Sherlock. I can live with that until they're old enough to know the whole truth."
Sherlock's chest gets tight and his mind whirls with uneasiness, not knowing how to respond or what the right thing would be.
"Our child won't feel the way you did. That's the only guarantee I can give you right now. There's a lot to figure out, but let's just get the results first, hm?"
Molly agrees and sighs, lying on his chest. "I'm sorry. It's just been wearing on me, worrying about if my baby will have a father figure and whether he will be a good one or a nightmare. I never want to be the reason that happens to them but putting myself in this situation is exactly what will...I can't help but beat myself up for it."
"Molly", he tips her chin up to look into his eyes. "No matter what happens, you will make your child happy and keep them healthy. If Tom is a factor, you have many friends in your corner, you have me, and I have Mycroft. Nobody will let anything happen to your baby, I promise you."
Tears fill her eyes, and she sniffs and bit, nodding. Their eyes meet again, and Sherlock can't help himself from wanting to comfort her more. Before he can think about it, he finds himself leaning in, and a second later Molly's soft lips are moving against his own.